Specific features and survival of French bulldogs with congenital pulmonic stenosis: a prospective cohort study of 66 cases

Introduction

The objectives of this study were to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and echocardiographic features of French bulldogs (FBs) with congenital pulmonic stenosis and document their survival times and risk factors for cardiac death (CD).

Mechanical and moisture absorption characterization of PLA composites reinforced with nano-coated flax fibers

This research is intended to improve the interface between the fibers and the matrix and limit water absorption of bio-based material thereby decreasing degradation of the composites when they are exposed to external environment such as high temperature and humidity. In this study, flax fibers were treated with an organic surface coating containing SiO₂ nanoparticles. This coating was a dispersion of silica fume in epoxy. One composite was also made with raw fibers as reference as well as one sample of pure PLA. Flax fibers/PLA composites were manufactured by hot pressing by stacking 4 PLA films and 3 pieces of flax fabric. Morphology and dispersion of the coating on the fibers was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Accelerated ageing was carried out on the 3 materials by placing them in a 50 °C water bath until saturation to investigate the influence of the coating on water diffusion. Mechanical properties of the different composites were investigated by tensile (before and after conditioning) and short beam shear (SBS) testing in order to evaluate the impact of the coating on the interfacial properties of the materials. The results show that the fibers surface was homogenized and that a better adhesion was reached because of the coating. Coating the fibers also allowed the decrease in water uptake by more than 10 % and their protection during conditioning, preserving their mechanical properties.     

3D fluorescent in situ hybridization using Arabidopsis leaf cryosections and isolated nuclei

Background  

Fluorescent hybridization techniques are widely used to study the functional organization of different compartments within the mammalian nucleus. However, few examples of such studies are known in the plant kingdom. Indeed, preservation of nuclei 3D structure, which is required for nuclear organization studies, is difficult to fulfill.     

Environmental determinants of fish community structure in gravel pit lakes

Gravel pit lakes are increasingly common, and there is an urgent need to better understand the functioning of these artificial and disconnected ecosystems. However, our knowledge of the environmental determinants of fish community structure within these types of lakes remains poor. In this study, we quantified the taxonomic diversity, fish species and life‐stage composition in 17 gravel pit lakes sampled in 2012 and 2013 located in south‐west France to determine the potential role of environmental variables (i.e. lake morphology, productivity, water quality and human‐use intensity) as drivers of fish community structure and composition. Our results demonstrated that fish community structure significantly differed between gravel pit lakes, and we notably found that lakes managed for angling hosted higher levels of taxonomic diversity. We also found that young and large lakes supported higher native species biomass and were dominated by native European perch (Perca fluviatilis). Older, smaller and more productive lakes, located closer to the main urban area, supported a higher biomass of non‐native species such as largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Native and non‐native sport fishing species such as northern pike (Esox lucius), pikeperch (Sander lucioperca), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and cyprinid prey species were positively associated with fishery management effort, suggesting that management practices play also a critical role in shaping fish species composition. Overall, our study demonstrated that fish community composition followed a predictable shift along environmental gradients associated with the maturation of gravel pit lakes and the associated human practices.     

In Vitro Fertilization in Hungarian Grey Cattle

Contents Experiments have been performed to investigate the potential use of in vitro fertilization for the preservation of the endangered Hungarian Grey cattle. 1018 excellent quality oocytes from 167 ovaries of slaughtered Hungarian Grey cows and heifers were matured. Out of 966 oocytes cocultivated with pre-test and swim-up selected Hungarian Grey frozen-thawed semen, 386 (39.9%) cleaved and 141 (14.6%) reached the morulablastocyst stage on the 7th day of embryo culture (1.69 transferable embryos per animal). Some embryos were transferred into the uterine horn of 10 natural cycling Hereford, Hungarian Red-spotted, Hungarian Red-spotted x Hereford recipients. Sixty days after transfer, 4 recipients were diagnosed as being pregnant by ultrasonography (two multiple births are expected); since then one calf has been born. Our results indicate that the IVF method can be used for the preservation of endangered cattle breeds, reducing the losses caused by slaughter for various reasons. Inhalt: In vitro Befruchtung beim ungarischen Grauvieh Es wurden Experimente durchgeführt, um die Möglichkeiten zu erforschen, die vom Aussterben bedrohte Rinderrasse Ungarisches Grauvieh über in vitro Befruchtung zu bewahren. 1018 Eizellen sehr guter Qualität wurden von 167 Ovarien geschlachteter Ungarischer Grauer Kühe und Färsen gereift. Von diesen wurden 966 Oozyten mittels vorgeprüftem und mit swim-up selektiertem Grauvieh-Sperma nach dem Auftauen kokultiviert. 386 (39,9%) der Oozyten teilten sich und 141 (14,6%) erreichten das Morula- bzw. Blastocystenstadium nuch 7tägiger Embryokultur (1,69 transferierbare Embryonen per Tier). Einige Embryonen wurden in das Uterushorn von 10 normal zyklischen Hereford, Ungarischem Rothvieh und der Kreuzungsrasse aus beiden übertragen. Sechzig Tage nach dem Transfer wurden 4 Tiere per Ultraschalluntersuchung als tragend diagnostiziert (zwei Mehrlingsträchtigkeiten wurden erwartet). Bisher ist ein Kalb geboren. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, daβ es möglich ist, mittels in vitro Befnrchtung bedrohte Ramen, wie das ungarische Grauvieh, zu erhalten und die Schlachtverluste, die aus verschiedenen Gründen möglich sein mögen, zu reduzieren.     

Gastrointestinal parasite egg excretion in young calves in periurban livestock production in Mali

To acquire the information needed to improve parasite control in periurban cattle production in Mali, repeated sampling of faeces of 694 calves kept around Bamako was done in 2003/2004. The effects of season, age, breed, management type, parasite control and presence of sheep on egg and oocyst counts were determined. A Bayesian model was used with a negative binomial distribution and herd and individual effects, to account for the clustering of calves in herds and the repeated sampling. Interviews were conducted to report the current control strategies. We found eggs of Strongyloides papillosus (Age class 0-1 month: prevalence 39%, 2-3 months: 59%, 5-6 months: 42%), strongyles (14%, 24%, 36%), coccidian oocysts (37%, 68%, 64%) and at low prevalence eggs of Toxocara vitulorum, Moniezia sp., Trichuris sp. and Paramphistomum sp. Season and age effects occurred. Reported utilisation of parasite control was high (92%) but monthly recorded use was significantly lower (61%).     

Comparison of body weight estimation equations for camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of six different equations for weight estimation of camels using body measurements as chest girth, height at withers, and hump girth in order to identify the most reliable equation for use in the field. The prediction equations that were compared were those of Boué Revue d’Élevage et de Médecine vétérinaire des Pays tropicaux 3 (1), 13–16, 1949; Graber Revue d’Élevage et de Médecine vétérinaire des Pays tropicaux, 19, 527–543, 1966; Wilson Tropical Animal Health and Production, 10, 19–25, 1978; Field Proceedings of the Khartoum workshop on camels V1, 209–230, 1979; Bucci et al. Indian Veterinary Journal, 61, 26–30, 1984; and Yagil A Handbook for Camel Breeding, 1994 noticed as BW1, BW2, BW3, BW4, BW5, and BW6, respectively. The dataset used for this evaluation is the one published by Boué Revue d’Élevage et de Médecine vétérinaire des Pays tropicaux 3 (1), 13–16, 1949. Range observed in predicted weight, mean prediction error (MPE), residual mean square (MSE), mean square prediction error (MSPE), coefficient of determination (CD), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were used to assess the different body weight prediction equations. Moreover, paired t tests were applied to compare the true weight and each of the six predicted weights. From the six prediction equations, range observed in predicted weights varied from 193 to 237 kg, MSE from 335.5 to 806.1, MPE from ??129.8 to 24.7 kg, MSPE from 329.4 to 17,617.1, CD from 0.753 to 0.867, and CCC from 0.162 to 0.928. BW4 presented the best prediction results, showing a low MSE, high CD and CCC, whereas BW3 yielded the least accurate estimate of body weight and had weak statistics. The study concluded that BW4 is the most reliable of all equations to estimate camel’s body weight, whereas BW3 is less reliable and its use must be discontinued.

     

Effectiveness of controlled internal drug release device treatment to alleviate reproductive seasonality in anestrus lactating or dry Barki and Rahmani ewes during non‐breeding season

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of hormonal treatments on ovarian activity and reproductive performance in Barki and Rahmani ewes during non‐breeding season. Forty‐eight multiparous ewes, 24 Barki and 24 Rahmani ewes were divided into two groups, 12 lactating and 12 dry ewes for each breed. Controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device was inserted in all ewes for 14 days in conjunction with intramuscular 500 IU equine chronic gonadotrophin (eCG) at day of CIDR removal. Data were analysed using PROC MIXED of SAS for repeated measures. Breed, physiological status and days were used as fixed effects and individual ewes as random effects. Barki ewes recorded higher (p < .05) total number of follicles, number of large follicles, serum estradiol concentration and estradiol: progesterone (E₂:P₄) ratio compared to Rahmani ewes. Lactating ewes recorded higher (p < .05) number of small follicles and lower concentration of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) compared to dry ewes. Number and diameter of large follicles recorded the highest (p < .05) values accompanied with disappearance of corpora lutea at day of mating. Serum progesterone concentration recorded lower (p < .05) value at day of mating and the highest (p < .05) value at day 35 after mating. CIDR‐eCG protocol induced 100% oestrous behaviour in both breeds, but Rahmani ewes recorded longer (p < .05) oestrous duration compared to Barki. Conception failure was higher (p < .05) in Barki compared to Rahmani ewes. In conclusion, CIDR‐eCG protocol was more potent in improving ovarian activity in Barki compared to Rahmani ewes, but this protocol seems to induce hormonal imbalance in Barki ewes that resulted in increasing conception failure compared to Rahmani ewes.